fully satisfy'd of my Affection to you and assure your self that I am SIR Your most Affectionate Brother RICHELIEU Paris Nov. 8 1624. LETTER VI. To *** SIR I Have receiv'd your Letters in answer to which have abundance of things to say to you and particularly about the Affair of the Valtoline but that I am satisfy'd that you have been already inform'd of them by the Marquis de Coeuvres who I suppose does not fail to write often to Monsieur de Bethune You 'll find the Articles of the Marriage with England are all agreed upon so that nothing is wanting now to put an End to this Affair but a Dispensation from his Holiness who without doubt will most readily grant it since the Condition are so advantageous to Religion So soon as 't is dispatched which I hope will be done with all convenient speed Madam will set forward for Great Britain where she is impatiently expected as we are inform'd by the Ambassadors of England Their Majesties are extremely well pleas'd with this Alliance and you 'll readily own that 't is not without good reason And now I passionately wish for an Opportunity to let you know with what Sincerity I am SIR Your most Affectionate c. RICHELIEU Paris Nov. 26 1624. LETTER VII To *** SIR IN answer to yours of the 19th of the last Month I can positively assure you that for the time to come the King will omit nothing that may be necessary to re-establish things in the Valtoline as they ought to be The Pope cannot take it amiss since 't is really for the benefit of Christendom and of the Holy Chair and indeed 't is not reasonable that the Spaniards shou'd press the See of St. Peter so nearly that his Successors may come to be incommoded by it The King's Council will vigorously second his Majesty's Inclinations upon all these Occasions In the effecting of this his Majesty has no intentions to disturb the Repose of Christendom but only to maintain his own Reputation I am satisfy'd you are of the same Opinion in this Matter with my self who am SIR Your most Affectionate Brother RICHELIEU Paris Dec. 19 1624. LETTER VIII To *** SIR THE King is extremely concern'd that he is not able to comply with all that the Sieur de Nardy demands in his Holiness's Name If the Spaniards were not a sort of People that wou'd certainly take Advantage of every thing the Requests of his Holiness have always such an Influence upon his Majesty that he wou'd freely grant them If the Pope were inclin'd to dispose of one part of France he might do it without controul but notwithstanding this Deference to his Holiness and the Affection which the King has for his Person his Majesty is oblig'd to manage himself with this caution in the Business of the Valtoline I will not take upon me here to acquaint you with what may and what may not be done referring my self as for that to Monsieur d' Herbault but this I will tell you that the King who for his part has no intentions to make War does not think himself oblig'd to a Cessation and that he pays so profound a regard to the Person of his Holiness that let this Matter be accommodated how it will it will be much more agreeable to him if 't is done before him and by him than if concluded in any other place or by any other means whatsoever The Advices you receiv'd about the Hugonots are but too true Those People instigated by the Devil or something as bad have already begun to shew their ill Inclinations having enter'd the Port of Blavet by Surprize and landed with some Peices of Canon with which they batter'd the Fort two Days and thought to carry it by Treachery or by putting the Garison in a Fright The King has already receiv'd the News that the whole Province march'd to their Relief upon which the Enemy got aboard their Vessels again to save themselves but took away two or three Ships of Monsieur de Nevers that were then in the Harbour These Attempts have been so far from hindering his Majesty's Designs that he has already got together six Thousand Men in Bretagne and six Thousand in Poictou and reinforc'd the Armies of Champagne and Picardy with twelve Thousand Men and two thousand Horse so that without any magnifying of Matters the King pays at this present time sixty Thousand Effective Men in his own Kingdom and six Thousand Horse I hope God will give a good issue to his Majesty's Affairs In the mean time I assure you that I am SIR Your most Affectionate c. RICHELIEU Paris Jan. 27 1625. LETTER IX To *** SIR LEt your Speculative People at Rome make what Reflexions they please upon the Enterprize of Monsieur de Soubize yet here we are in hopes that he will do us no great Mischief The King to render his Design ineffectual has equipp'd thirty Vessels of five hundred Tun each which will infallibly reduce him to his Duty Nor is this all for his Majesty to secure himself of those of the pretended Reform'd Religion who wou'd have been glad to see new troubles in his Kingdom and remove to those places where they look upon themselves to be the strongest has brought into the Field in Languedoc and Poictou six Thousand Foot and five Hundred Horse in each of those Provinces His Majesty has taken this Course to keep all quiet at home and at the same time continues to act abroad pursuant to his first Resolutions And altho' so many Affairs which he has upon his Hands at once engage him in an extraordinary Expence Nevertheless Heaven be prais'd he has found out a way to support them without incommoding himself having this Year provided above six Millions to answer all Emergencies This is what I had to communicate to you upon this Subject entreating you earnestly to believe that I am SIR Your most Affectionate Brother RICHELIEU Paris March 13 1625. LETTER X. To *** SIR THough I writ to you yesterday by F. Joseph and sent you Word that we were upon the Point of entering into a Conference with the Legate yet I thought fit to take Pen in Hand again to acquaint you that the King and his Ministers are intirely well satisfy'd with his Person As for what relates to his Proposals he demands that there be a Cessation of Arms that the Forts of the Valtoline be put into his Holiness's Hands and that the Valtolines be exempted from the Government and Jurisdiction of the Grisons all which his Majesty and Council have absolutely refused for several Reasons some of which you your self have often laid down in your Letters and the rest you may find in the Letter which his Majesty has writ to Monsieur de Bethune All that I have to tell you upon this Subject is that the Negotiation is spun out so long that I am afraid it will not have that Effect which it were to be wish'd it might
been so pleas'd but only to give him a constant Account thereof His Majesty having no Interest in the matter provided the Catholick Religion be thereby promoted he preferring that Consideration to all the Policies that can occurr upon this Account though perhaps others would not deal with so much Candour towards him But whereas his Majesty is of Opinion that this proposition of Alliance is only to gain time and to improve occasions on both sides as it appears sufficiently by all their proceedings in relation to the general affairs in which they are concern'd so his Majesty thinks fit not to trouble himself any further with it but to refer it all to the Prudences and wise Consideration of his Beatitude Who must needs be sensible by the good Offices lately done at Venice for the restauration of the Jesuits in their Demean what care his Majesty takes to promote whatever tends towards his Holiness's satisfaction who has express'd a great deal of concern in this Affair as a thing tending to the service of God the honour of which might have been rais'd had the Republick been pleas'd to adhere to his Holiness's and his Majesty's good Councils and Salutery Remonstrances And though his Majesty has some reason to be dissatisfy'd with the refusal he has incur'd at his Holinesses Intreaty he having expos'd his Name and Dignity in this Business contrary to his first intentions fore-seeing this resistance from the Seignory Nevertheless in order to do well in all things whenever any reasonable likelihood of success shall appear in the issue of the said Recommendation his Majesty will freely undertake it a new But at present his Majesty is of Opinion that it is proper to refer it to another Season when time shall have made the Venetians sensible of the fault they have committed and of the misfortunes which may arise in their State by the Banishment of the said Fathers If his Holiness should put the said Commandore upon the subject of the Enterprise of Geneva to which he has lately invited his Majesty by a person sent on purpose he is to make him sensible according as it has already been freely declar'd to his Nuncio and to Father Barnabite sent on purpose on that subject that this would be directly contrary to the design his Majesty has propos'd to himself in this Kingdom to remove the Opinion which some malicious persons publish that by the War he makes against his rebellious Subjects he aims at their Religion and not at the Faction which would make them all Unite again not only in France but those of the same Sect out of the Kingdom who hitherto have only been Spectators of this Tragedy which the said Revolters have been the cause of his Majesty having all along told and satisfy'd them that without respect to Religion he only attacks Disobedience and that if any of his Catholick Subjects should lay aside their Allegiance he would use them in the same manner for the good of the publick Peace and for the security of his Authority Had he consented to this Enterprize against Geneva these publick Causes failing he would be at a loss for the prosecution of this project which is in such forwardness And therefore when the said Nuncio and the Ministers of Savoy have press'd him upon that affair they have sound the solidity of his Reasons by his Answers besides the reasons of State which his Majesty does not alledge at this time and which have always been held in great consideration by the late King his Father when the said Duke as he has often done has propos'd the said design But possibly he has thought that his Majesty being imploy'd at home could not so easily divert him from the said design or that his Holiness would have more power to persuade him If the Duke speaks to the said Commandore about it he is to make the same answer to him and that his Majesty for these Reasons which have been known to him heretofore cannot agree to the said Enterprize and that when he has put a good order to his Affairs according to his good beginning it will then be more â—asie for him to resolve about it and to consider of means to favour his Highnesses designs who at this time would do better to joyn with his Holiness to seek out and propose good expedients to promote the advancement of his Majesty's good design in his Kingdom the rather because the security of his Neighbours and the Publick Peace partly depends on the good Condition thereof by the counterpoise every body knows his Majesty's power keeps against other Kings and States which might make attempts to the prejudice of the Common Liberty The said Commandore is also to represent that his Holiness has good informations thereof his Majesty's happy Progresses the last Year and the advantage he has gain'd by the reduction of upwards of Sixty Garrisons his being resolv'd to prosecute his Fortune a great deal farther yet unless the said Revolters submit to their Duty of their own accord on such conditions and submissions as are requir'd from Subjects to Soveraigns That he is persuaded that as God has been pleas'd hitherto to favour his Arms he will still assist him for the future since he has no other end but the maintaining of his Authority and the promoting of Religion under the favour of the Edicts as much as justice and their behaviour will permit him being now ready to march under the protection of God whom he intreats his Holiness to implore for him as he has hitherto done in order to prosecute the success of his just and pious design And the said Commandore is to take care to acquaint his said Holiness with his Majesty's Moral and Pious Life a true example for his Age to all other Kings He assures himself that God will grant the Vows and Prayers of his Holiness and of all his Majesty's good Subjects thus following the paths of Honour and Vertue which gives hopes besides that being seconded by his Holiness's good Advice he will daily fructify for the better and employ those advantages bestow'd on him by Providence to the Honour of his Holy Name and unto the benefit of the Christian Common-wealth And it is highly important for the promotion of this good Work that it be favour'd and that all the World may know that it was undertaken by the Authority of his Holiness his Predecessors having lost many favourable occasions to advance the publick good for want of so doing His Majesty expects from the Justice and Wisdom of his Beatitude that making his profit of their Faults and Omissions in what relates to him he will be more careful of it and will look upon him as the most Christian King first Son of the Church who in his private and publick Conduct aims at nothing but the Exaltation of the Holy Name of God Equity and the general Good and Peace of Christendom These things appear particularly in the Actions which are done in
Colmar and Schelstat that those places being well provided as 't is requisite they may be secur'd from all Inconveniences I don't doubt but you 'll husband the Money as well as you can and wait the Harvest which is now near at hand when you may buy it at a cheap rate especially if the Soldiers will be got to work when they have no Enemies to disturb them You will not take it ill I am confident that I have sent back my Company to you which has already behaved themselves very well under your Command together with ten out of my Regiment and others I thought fit to re-inforce you with these Men that you may employ them upon all occurrences where you have occasion for them Having receiv'd advice that the Poles and Croats had crossed over to Thionville to joyn Galasse Orders were immediately dispatch'd to Monsieur the Prince to send fifteen hundred Horse to Enchissen to joyn you that you might be in a condition to do something considerable The King has granted to Colonel Hebron the ransom of Meternick and precedence to his Regiment before all the new ones of twenty Companies that have been created since him I desire you to manage with good husbandry the forty thousand Crowns I have sent you to lay out in buying of Corn so that with the Harvest you may expect without any other Cost but that of cutting it the Garrisons may be provided for two or three Years beforehand and if 't is practicable make the Governours give you a Certificate of the Corn which they have in their Towns Monsieur de Noyers will sollicit for a Month's Pay which you writ to me about that it may be sent to you in time I am concerned that the fifteen hundred Horse which we sent to you for the Franche-Comté are not yet arriv'd for I am of opinion that you 'll have an opportunity to do something worthy of your self this Summer You may be confident I will do you all the good Services I can who am My Lord Your c Conflans June 23 1636. LETTER LII To the Cardinal de la Valette My Lord THis Courrier going to wait upon you about a certain Occasion which you 'll find by the Dispatch of Mousieur de Noyers that he will deliver to you I cou'd not let him depart till I had given him this Letter to assure you of the continuance of my Affection and Service upon which you may certainly depend upon all Occasions It is so long ago since I receiv'd any News from you that I protest to you I have been in a great deal of Pain about it You wou'd in a most particular manner oblige me to let me hear from you as your Occasions will permit and to inform me of all the material Occurrences that happen in your Parts In the mean time rest assur'd that no Man living more esteems you or is with more sincerity than I am My Lord Your most Humble c. Charonne July 7 1636. LETTER LIII To the same My Lord I Can't express to you my great concern for the Death of poor Colonel Hebron not only for the esteem I had of his Person but for the Affection and Zeal he always testify'd for his Majesty's Service His Loss has touch'd me in so lively and sensible a manner that 't is impossble for me to receive any Comfort I don't question what you tell me in your Letter that it has afflicted your self in particular for to say the Truth he was a Gentleman that was very necessary to us at this Juncture I have paid to his Memory all that lay in my power to express my great value for him ordering Prayers to be made to God for him and assisting his Neâ—hew with what he has occasion for as if he were my own Relation The Ransom of Maternic is secur'd for him and whatever is due to his Unkle shall most punctually be paid to him Saverne costs us exceeding dear but we must patiently bear what pleases God We find it a matter of great perplexity upon whom to bestow the aforesaid Colonel's Regiment because his eldest Captain who is related to him is a Hugonot and the Catholicks earnestly petition to have it conferr'd upon one of their Party among whom we find the Sieur Douglass who is descended from one of the best Families in Scotland In the mean time nothing shall be resolv'd upon here relating to this occasion till we have receiv'd Advice from you which we desire you to send by the first opportunity We have another Difficulty too upon our Hands that gives us no less trouble and that is to find out for you a proper Mareschall de Camp such a one as you want The King willingly consents that you have Monsieur de Bussy but him you cannot have soon enough As for Monsieur de Rambure he is sufficiently taken up with the business of his Place So we have sent to you the Grand Provost in in this Quality who is a Gentleman of very good Sense great Courage and sweetness of Temper He will get together the Recruits of Foot and Horse that are in Lorrain to aid you to make some opposition to Offlans who lies quarter'd on that side with about some twelve hundred sorry Horse The King gives his consent that Saverne be put into the hands of the Duke of Weymar provided he gives his promise in Writing to leave the Exercise of the Catholick Religion in that place such as he finds it without the least alteration Altho' you are deliver'd from the fears of that Siege it will concern you and the Duke to follow the most advantageous measures you can for the King's Service If Galasse shou'd post himself any where where you might have some notable Advantage over him it wou'd be a great Blow but I can scarce bring my self to believe any such thing can be done till Dole is taken which will happen with God's assistance according to your advices by the end of this Month. You must take care that nothing incommode you in the Franche-Comté but especially favour the Harvest in Alsatia For the rest his Majesty leaves you at full liberty to take such Methods as you shall judge to be most expedient If you please to acquaint us with them we shall send you our Thoughts without obliging you to follow them or hindering you to execute what you shall think proper till you have receiv'd our Answer After the Siege of Dole is over and the King Master of the place we will see what a Re-inforcement we can then send you the present Posture of Affairs in these Parts not permitting us as yet to part with any of our Troops We are providing to send you the second Months Pay which you sollicit for and that you may suffer no Disappointments of that nature it shall be sent away towards the third or fourth of the next Month. The Enemy have taken Capelle on the Coast of Picardy because the Place made no manner
Difficulties attend a Siege and therefore don't desire that you should hasten your Attacks more than you can do it in Prudence I can assure you that this is not only his Majesty's Opinion but likewise of all those that have the honour to be near his Person Monsieur de la Meilleraye is marched to joyn you according to the Orders he has receiv'd from hence occasion'd by what you writ to us some time ago viz. that you wanted to be re-inforced with some Troops He is ready to act as you shall order him the only reason why we sent him being to execute your commands either on the Siege or any where else where you think fit to employ him Since you are of opinion that you still want Horses to fetch in your Provisions we are going to raise two hundred more in order to relieve yours when they begin to be harrassed As for the Artillery Monsieur de la Meilleraye may joyn yours with that which was design'd for him in case you have occasion for it and thus I hope you 'll be supply'd with every thing necessary to carry on your Design Bergerac told me as from you that you have receiv'd advice that the Enemy are taking abundance of Cannon out of Sedan to be employ'd against us We cannot imagine what shou'd be the meaning of it because they do nothing at Sedan as we are inform'd by the Mareschal de Châtillon who acquaints us with what passes there I beg of you that as you continue your Attacks which you send me word were begun last Night you wou'd not forget to finish your Lines of Circumvallation and rest assur'd that nothing that lies in our power shall be omitted which may facilitate the reduction of the place Knowing that the Enemy may be in a condition to make some Effort by the end of this Month the King whom I shall accompany makes account to be at Soissons about that time to strengthen either by his Presence or by the addition of his own Troops your Army which perhaps may want such a Re-inforcement Be assur'd that in whatsoever place 't is my destiny to be I am and ever shall be My Lord Your c. Challiot July 19 1637. LETTER LXXXV To the Cardinal de la Vallette My Lord THO' I have nothing at present to write to you yet I cou'd not let the Sieur de Bergerac go without giving him this Letter to assure you of the continuance of my Affection and Service on which you may certainly depend upon all occasions We begin to have News of Picolomini that he has not above eight or nine thousand Men in all with him half Horse and half Foot Monsieur de Châtillon has got his Forces together and has a sufficient power with him to despise all the Efforts that the Enemy can make on that side The King will be infallibly at Soissons or â—…on by the end of this Month. The Sieur de Saintou has taken care to send away all those things that Monsieur de la Meilleraye said he had a necessary occasion for We will not fail to supply you with every thing that may be expected from us Rest satisfy'd of this and that I am My Lord Your c. Challiot July 15 1637. LETTER LXXXVI To the same My Lord I Am overjoy'd to find by you that the Siege of Landrechy is so fairly advanc'd We are in hopes to hear every Day better News than other for places that are reduc'd to such a Condition as yours is make no long opposition when they once begin to decline I have spoken to the King about what you were pleased to write to me that it was high time to find out a Governour for the Town His Majesty was of opinion that the two fittest Men in your Army were Nettancourt and Vaubecourt but the latter he thinks the properer of the two in regard of Nettancourt's Religion which wou'd extremely prejudice the reputation of his Majesty and check the progress we may expect to make in Flanders So you must put the aforesaid Sieur de Vaubecourt with his Regiment and such other Troops as you shall judge convenient into the place as well to guard as to fortifie it We continue to make a considerable Progress in Burgundy as well on the part of Monsieur de Longueville as of the Duke of Weymar and the Count de Gransay Landrechy will balance the loss of Hermestein and after this we will push our fortune farther in Flanders The King will set forward by the end of this Month as I have already sent you word for Laon. I am persuaded that two or three Days before our departure we shall hear the agreeable News that you have pluck'd down the Stag that you have been chasing I am and always shall be My Lord Your c. Challiot July 21 1637. The Hollanders embark'd some fifteen Days ago at Ramekins but the Wind was so contrary that we don't know which way they are gone However we are certain that they will do us some notable Service LETTER LXXXVII To the same My Lord YOU will receive two of my Letters in one Day The latter comes to inform you that the Hollanders having been in great Pain at some Reports that have been scatter'd abroad that your Army consists of no more than eight or nine thousand Men I beseech you that for the future you will not suffer the Commissaries that make the Reviews to order their Accounts so as has been practised of late They cannot be too exact to set down no more Men than they find in the Army but then 't is reasonable they should put those in the Number that are reckon'd in Pay Now in their present Supputations they never reckon the Captain the Lieutenant the Ensign the two Sergeants the Drummer the Haut-boy and the Quartermaster nor what is more the three Men that are allowed to the three great Officers for want of which they are forced to take other Soldiers when their Baggage marches Thus not reckoning in every Company the eleven Men that are effectually there it comes to pass that in a Regiment consisting of twenty Companies we lose two hundred and twenty Men. By this means the Enemy having always Spies in our Army and knowing that People are seldom guilty of making their numbers less than they are imagine that we are fewer than in reality we are which may occasion a world of inconveniences The Sieur Usquerque who is Secretary to the States has been again with us to be informed of the Truth of your Army which is represented so small on this side that it looks as if these Gentlemen wou'd use this as an Excuse for not doing the great Service we expected from them 'T is to little purpose for us to tell them how things really are for People are apter to believe the flying Reports of an Army than our Assurances which is an unspeakable damage to us We have dispatched two Courriers to the States to satisfie
much as you can desire from a Person who is really as I am c. LETTER XV. To the Bishop of Marscilles HAving understood the Trouble to which your Grand Vicar puts the Carmelites of the Convent of the City of Marseilles in reference to their Privileges and his Rigour towards the Prioress governing the said Nuns I have sent you this Letter to intreat you to put a Stop to the Vicar's Proceedings and hinder him from dealing with 'em so severely which I do with so much the more Affection because that Order having been under my Protection over since the Death of Cardinal Berule it would be a hard Case that I should suffer those good Souls to be vex'd and turmoil'd with undeserv'd everities I make no question but you will apply all requisite Moderation as well for the Glory of God as for the Repose of the said Nuns who desire to live under the same Laws and Rules with those of the Convent of Paris and other places and also to enjoy the same Priviledges I promise my self that you will carefully lend your helping hand in this Affair Confident of this I shall conclude this Letter assuring you that I am c. LETTER XVI To the Bishop of St. Papoul THE King having cast his Eyes upon your Person in Consideration of the many good Qualities which he observes there met together with a Design to gratifie you with the Bishoprick of St. Papoul which has been vacant for some time I could no longer delay to give you notice of it and at the same time to let you know as I do by these Lines my own particular Satisfaction to see your Merits acknowledg'd by so great an Honour I assure my self that your Demeanour in this Charge wherewith it has pleased His Majesty to honour you will give him an Occasion to make a diligent Search through all the Corners of his Provinces for other Persons whose Reputation may equal yours In the mean time I beseech yee to be cocvinc'd that I shall always most sincerely wish your Content as being really as much as you can desire c. LETTER XVII To the Bishop of Sens. THE Esteem which the King has of your Person is such that His Majesty knowing the Bishoprick which you have hitherto held is much below your Merit has been pleas'd to give you Proofs of his good Will by Translating you to that of Cahors which you know to be much better then yours that you must surrender into his hands I was extreamly glad to have the Opportunity in giving you notice of this Favour in His Majesty's Name to let you know at the same time my own particular Joy for the Favour which it has pleas'd His Majesty to confer upon yee and to assure yee that you can never have more Content or greater Preferment then I wish you As being really c. LETTER XVIII To the Bishop of Nismes I Was very glad to hear News of yee by the Letter which you wrote me and by the Abbot of St. Mars to understand the Beginning of the happy Progress you are making in the place where you are for the Good of Religion I always believ'd that you would effectually answer the Choice which His Majesty made of your Person and fulfil your Promises not to let the Talents that God has given you lie idle but to employ 'em upon all Occasions for the Advantage of his Worship I cannot express my Joy for so good a Beginning nevertheless you may conceive it by the singular Affection which I bear you Only I must conjure yee to reside continually in your Diocess as hitherto you have done and to believe that you can do nothing either more agreeable to His Majesty or more to my Content as it will be always my greatest Satisfaction to serve you upon all Occasions and to let you know how much I am c. LETTER XIX To the Archbishop of Rouan HAving seen the Letter and the Papers which you sent me I must tell yee that in regard the Affair in Controversie is the general Question between the Bishops and the exempt Monks which cannot be decided so speedily 't is my Opinion that until they fall upon the Debate of it you may continue your Visits in all the exempt Monasteries of your Diocess whenever you think convenient at what time it behoves the Monks to receive you with all the Honour and Respect that may be contenting your self only to visit the Churches the holy Sacraments and the Buildings without making the Scrutiny Which being only an Enquiry into the Miscarriages of the Monks and the Defects of their Regular Discipline methinks they should not be taken Cognizance of nor punish'd but only by the Superior Regulars You may also when you would go to the Monasteries celebrate Mass therein Pontifically and fulfil the Orders and if any publick Scandal have happen'd in the City through the Fault of the Monks you may likewise take Cognizance of it I am much troubl'd that the ill Behaviour of the Monks of St. Vaudrille has constrain'd yee to proceed against 'em as you have done I have written to 'em to make 'em acknowledge their Fault and have exhorted 'em to Amendment which I hope they will readily submit to by rendring to your Lordship what is your Due In the mean time I beseech yee to pardon 'em for my sake revoke the Sentence you have given against 'em and settle Things in the same Condition as they were when you go to visit their Church In so doing you will oblige me in particular to testifie upon all Occasions that shall present themselves that I am c. LETTER XX. To a Friend of the Archbishop of Rouan ' s. THE Business of my writing is to intreat you by a soft and gentle Converse with Monsieur the Archbishop of Rouan to try what may be done to the end his Demeanour may be as edifying in his advanc'd Age as it was in his younger Years and he himself avoid the ill Opinion that may be conceiv'd of it I do not believe him to be one of those Persons who fly the Surgeon's Hand tho' it be for their own Good Kings having the Power to put the Canons in Execution and it being their Duty to take a particular Care of the Discipline of the Church I assure my self that he will be right in his Opinion that it does not only concern His Majesty's Piety but his Office to admonish him of the bad Reports that are spread abroad concerning him And having always had my self a particular Honour for him I cannot but desire his Content and his Welfare as my own and consequently I cannot but endeavour to serve him Nor will it be a small Satisfaction to me when in serving you also it shall be in my power to let you see that no body is more then I am c. LETTER XXI To the Bishop of Montauban IT having been reported to the King that there is hardly any Episcopal Function
have not hindr'd me from coming to this place near to Montauban for the determining several Difficulties started every day by Persons breathing only Sedition There have been some Commotions in the City but thanks be to God things are reduc'd to that point that if I am not deceiv'd in my measures I hope within three days to make my entrance into it with that Dignity which becomes Your Majesty From thence I shall set forward to attend Your Majesty intending to stay two days only in Montauban in order to dispatch those dismissions which Your Majesty has commanded me I must not forget to send Your Majesty word that though the Gentlemen of the Parliament of Tâ—oulouse have always made some Scruples upon the Edicts of the Peace and the favours you have shewn to those of the pretended Reformed Religion yet they have purely and simply verify'd this with great Applause of Your Majesty's Goodness Piety Strength and Prudence Though never any Prince acquir'd so much Glory as Your Majesty has now done yet I hope if God permits me to live some Years to see you wearing many other Crowns which only your Vertue and the blessing of God will acquire Your Majesty This is that which I desire with the greatest Passion in the World promising Your Majesty that my life shall never be of any value to me in respect of your Grandeur your prosperity and particular contentment which I shall Eternally wish for in the Quality of c. LETTER LIV. To the King THE Letter Your Majesty was pleas'd to honour me withall obliges me in such a manner that I have not Expressions sufficiently worthy to testify my Gratitude to your Majesty I wish that for the Supply of this defect I might be so happy as to be able to pay Your Majesty as many faithful services as I have had and as long as I live shall have a chearful will to perform I am extreamly troubled that Your Majesty is not pleas'd with your stay at Paris and therefore have taken a Resolution for your ease to go into Champaign so soon as your Brother shall depart from Nancy The share which Your Majesty was pleas'd to allow me in your Prayers during the Jubilee was so great a favour that wanting words to return my due thanks to Your Majesty I have no more to say upon that Subject but that your Majesty shews your Goodness equal to your Piety I could passionately wish that I might be near Your Majesty as Your Majesty desires but my sorrow to see my self remov'd so far from your presence is in some measure allay'd when I consider it is for the Interest of your service which is the only thing that I regard I am now setting forward from hence in Order to cross the Mountains and hasten into Italy where I shall serve Your Majesty with that Zeal and Vigilancy which becomes c. LETTER LV. To the King I Have receiv'd a new dispatch from Monsieur the Marshal de Crequi who assures me a second time that he will not Sign the Suspension He sends me word more over that the News of the Motion of your Army has caus'd the Imperialists to raise the siege of Mantua from whence the Germans are retreated in so much disorder that 't was the Duke of Mantua's fault they were not utterly defeated However he cut some of 'em to peices in retaking Montenara and Courtentone which were two Posts distant from Mantua about five miles which the Enemy had a mind to have kept He believes that as soon as your Army arrives at Suza the Republick of Venice will resolve to do something to good purpose Provided the Duke of Savoy's delays do not retard the Passage of your Army I hope your Majesty will have no reason to complain Courrier is dispatched after Courrier to press the Duke of Savoy to whom I have also this day written Your Majesty's Express command to me not to lose any time which obliges me to conjure him that he would give Speedy Passage to your Army I expect to hear from him within these few days Your Majesty may be confident of being as punctually inform'd as it is possible of all that happens and that I desire not so much to preserve my Life as to please Your Majesty and to testify by real Effects That I am and ever will be c. LETTER LVI To the King HAving Yesterday given Your Majesty an Account of the Reducing the Citadel of Pignerol under your Obedience I now resume my Pen to let your Majesty know that 't is impossible for me to express the Vigilance and Passion for your Service of the Marshalls â—requi la Force and Schomberg and of all the Officers of your Army upon this Occasion And here I hope your Majesty will not take it amiss if I take the Liberty to tell you my Opinion that you cannot gratify any Person with the Government of the City and Citadel of Pignerol who better deserves it then Monsieur Crequi as well for the rare Qualities with which he is endow'd and with which your Majesty is so well acquainted as for that those Places are contiguous to the Dauphinate where his Employment obliges him chiefly to reside and be near at hand to provide for the Preservation of ' em Besides these Considerations I must not conceal from your Majesty that he has given me to understand that he should be infinitely engag'd to your Majesty if you would but be pleas'd to honour him with the Grant of his Request He also desires that you would be pleas'd to honour M. de Canaples with the Collar of your Order the next time you make any Knights This would be a means by new Obligations to engage both Father and Son to your Service to which I am so inseparably devoted that I shall always be to the last gasp of my Breath c. LETTER LVII To the King MOnsieur Marshal de Crequi having desired me to write to your Majesty that you would be pleas'd to confer upon the Sieur Aubery the Employment of the Queen's Chancellor I take that Liberty so much the more willingly to the same end because your Majesty knowing the Affection which the said Marshal has for that Family will readily consider that while he serves your Majesty as he does I could not deny him the kind Office of such a Letter your Majesty knows better then any person in the World how to supply that place with such a Person as you shall deem most Capable In the mean time I beseech your Majesty to believe that I am and shall be as long as I live c. LETTER LVIII To the King I Send this Courrier in hast to your Majesty at the heels of the Sieur de Folaine to deliver you the particular Relation of what the Gentlemen who command your Armies in Italy sent me concerning what happen'd at the Attacque of Pont Carignan I praise God with all my heart for the good success wherewith he is
them from discerning Things such as they are nor a Will that carries 'em contrary to their Knowledge find very little to urge against all this but only to what the Misfortune of Times customary to the Weakness of Minorities introduces for which there is no Remedy to be apply'd But some disaffected Persons like those envenom'd Stomachs that convert into Poison the best of Nourishments observe in the Government many Things which being rightly consider'd deserve rather to be applauded then sound fault with The first Action which they censure is the Marriage with Spain which they put in the first place as a Hidra with several Heads since as they reckon from thence proceeds the Division of France the Rupture of ancient Amities and the Scorn of Foreign Alliances with England Italy and Germany The Second is the Waste of the Treasury The Third is the Fortune of some Foreigners The Fourth and Last is the Seizing of the Prince of Conde so clearly justify'd by what we have said that it would be superfluouâ— to say any more of it here By these Heads artificially disguiz'd and publish'd they decry the Government which however being duly consider'd will appear as worthy as they would render it infamous after we have cut off all the Heads of this monstrous Hydra To make 'em approve the Alliance between France and Spain I shall not insist much upon it that 't is an ordinary thing for those two Kingdoms to unite themselves by Marriages History containing a great Number of Examples Of the most remarkable were the Marriage of Charlemaine with Galiena the Daughter of the King of Toledo Of Lâ—wis VII with Constance the Daughter of Alphonso King of Spain and Galicia Of Lewis VIII with Blanch the Daughter of the King of Castille to which Marriage we are beholding to the Birth of St. Lewis and all the Happiness we enjoy by the Regency of his Mother Of Philip the Bald with Isabel the Daughter of the King of Arragon Of Francis I. with Elenor Sister to the Emperor Charles V. Of Charles IX with Elizabeth of Austria Daughter of the Emperor Maximilian and Grand-daughter to Ferdinand King of Spain I will not urge that because the Enmities between great Personages are frequently pacify'd by Marriages that therefore this Match was useful to establish a Peace between the two Crowns I will not insist that there was nothing remaining for this Monarchy to do being assur'd of all her Neighbours but to secure her self by an Alliance with this Crown to the end that being in no danger from without she might be the more at liberty to reduce those that endeavour'd to trouble the Kingdom within I will not set forth that we have already gain'd this Advantage by Marriages that they have at least depriv'd those who have gone about to trouble the Repose of France the way to make a Benefit of Spain which was formerly wont to foment our Divisions and sow 'em also among us 'T is sufficient to stop the Mouths of those that condemn 'em to justifie 'em and cause 'em to be approv'd by all the World to declare that they were design'd and desir'd by the deceased King that they were agreed to by the Princes Lords and Officers of the Crown transacted by the Duke of Maine commended and desir'd by the Three Orders of the Kingdom imparted to the King of England by the Duke of Bouillon and to other Princes Republicks and Confederates of this Crown by the Ambassadors residing near their Persons and lastly happily accomplish'd And that instead of a bloody War of which as it was given out they were to be the Fore-runners they have been attended with a general Peace over all France which Their Majesties being desirous always to preserve among their People as they have sufficiently made it appear there is no Occasion to fear that contrary to their Words and the Edicts of the deceased Henry the Great they will attempt any thing that may infringe it 'T is to no purpose to urge the daring Humour of the Spaniard seeing that without diving into their Intentions and Designs we should do our selves an Injury to believe that we cannot keep our own and preserve our selves from those who justly ought to fear us Then again 't is an idle Terrour to fear that the Alliance of the two Crowns should occasion the Division of France For no Man will readily believe that a Man will burn his own House to do his Neighbour a Kindness Or that a Man will hate and ruin himself for the Love of another Different Beliefs do not render us different Kingdoms We are all united under one in whose Service no Catholick is so blind as to think a Spaniard better then a French Huguenot There will be found a real Division not in this World but in the other not occasion'd by the Matches between France and Spain but by the Diversity of our Religions If this Match contain'd any Article contrary to the Edicts of Pacification there might be some Reason to fear But there being no such thing quite the contrary seeing the Articles are sign'd and decreed since it is done and consummated seeing the Edicts have been renew'd no less then four times upon the Death of the late King upon the King's Majority at Bourdeaux and at Laudun though those of the Religion had greatly offendeâ— the King in joining with the Rebels what Reason is there to fear that he will give any Interruption to what the deceased King Henry the Great has establish'd for the Union and Tranquility of his Subjects What Reason have they of the pretended Reformed Religion to complain seeing their Edicts have been renew'd under this Reign and confirm'd several times their Pensions augmented and paid notwithstanding all the Exigencies of State Themselves also assisted against the most zealous and furious Catholicks as the Difference between the Rochellers and M. d' Espernon can justifie and lastly favour'd to that degree that we may say that many Enterprizes have been unpunish'd for their sakes You must not forget to insinuate how that we sent back the Spaniards that waited upon the Queen which clearly justifies our Design to make our selves Spaniards in France Moreover You must take an Occasion to signifie to 'em to our Advantage that we desire not the Advancement of Spain We offer 'em tho' discreetly to assist 'em against the Attempts of the King of Spain to set the Crowns of Hungary Bohemia the King of the Romans and the Empire upon the Head of a Child of Spain And to give 'em Proofs of our Affection and to let 'em see that we have no Designs but the Good of the Empire 't were well that you should let 'em know that we pretend to no other thing but only to concurr with 'em to set the said Crowns upon the Head of that Person whom they shall deem most acceptable to His Imperial Majesty and most useful to Christendom Seeing then this Match can create no Jealousie by
to Honours and Employments History produces so many Examples of it that instead of being troubled to find 'em out a man may make his choice of such as he pleases to make use of That which is so much discoursed of is far from the Degree of Preferment to which others have attain'd he is only a Foreigner born but so much a French Foreigner that he shows his Fortune to none but French How many of the best Families of this Kingdom have been advanced by his procurement Where is that man whom we loaded with his Master's Favours who is not obliged to their Majesties for ' em In England all the Scotch are advanced and no Englishman in France but one Stranger only all the rest French What cause for Complaint in this If there be any 't is they that make it are to be blamed and not they who are complained against Since it may be truly said to conclude all in three words the Government was such that if we consider it without Passion there can be nothing found in answer to this Article nor to any thing else here set down but that there may be seen to have been in it too much Clemency without Rigor too many Favours without Punishment Signed RICHELIEV The Instruction sent to M. Miron going into Switzerland in 1617 signed also DE RICHLIEU was all the same only that it began with these words After the most execrable Parricide committed upon the Person c. And that some lines were left out about the middle after these words You must not forget to insinuate how we send c. to these words exclusively This Marriage not being able to give any Jealousie c. Instructions for Monsieur de Marquemont Archbishop of Lyons for Rome 1617. From Mr. du Puy 's Study M.S. 504. THE King sent his Commands to the Marquess de Tersnel by his Secretary to go back to Rome in case he met him in any part of Italy to continue to serve his Majesty there in the Quality of his Ambassadour in ordinary judging it necessary in the present Conjunture of Affairs to give his Holiness a constant and perfect Knowledge thereof But the said Secretary found him so forward on his way that the Marquess could not easily comply with the said Order and therefore proceeded towards the Court where at his Arrival he has confirmed his Majesty's Resolution about the sending of some Mâ—n of Quality and Merit whose Person might be acceptable to the Pope and Sacred College until another be sent thither to reside there with the Title of his Ambassador in Ordinary in the usual manner There is indeed at Rome Cardinal Vicenzo late Vice Protector whose Fidelity and Affection the King is fully satisfied with and Cardinal Vrsini lately honoured with the Comprotectorship who both take Care of his said Majesty's Affairs in his Ambassador's Absence But whereas there seems to be a certain Emulation between them concerning the Mannagement and Direction of the said Affairs and that it is highly important to represent the true State and Constitution thereof to his Holiness together with the Causes and Motives of the Counsels and Resolutions that have been taken by his Majesty which can never be performed so well as by Persons sent on purpose with fresh Informations of whatsoever has been transacted there his Majesty has been induced by the aforesaid Considerations to send the Archbishop of Lyons expresly to Rome being perswaded that he could chuse no person more fit for the executing of that Office by reason of the Experience the late King of glorious Memory had of him there when he served the Holy See and his late Majesty in the Quality of Auditor in the Rota and the Reputation he has left there of his Virtue and Probity which will give him the more Credit with his Holiness and the sacred College whenever any Occasion shall happen to treat with them for his Majesty's Service There are Two Affairs depending at this Time which require this Ministry the one general relating to the Publick Tranquility of Italy and indeed of Christendom the other particular respecting the Welfare of this Kingdom and both of them the Honour and Satisfaction of his Majesty The said Archbishop is to begin the performing of his Office by kissing the Feet of his Beatitude in the King's Name by presenting the Letters his Majesty has written to him with his own Hand by assuring him of the Perseverance of his Devotion and Filial Observance of his Zeal and Desire for the Increase and Propagation of the Holy Name of God and of the Catholick Apostolick Roman Religion according to the Example of the Kings his Predecessors and of his Affection and Care to promote and settle the general Repose of Christendom as also to maintain Union and Concord among all the Princes his good Friends Allies and Neighbours to make them Sharers of that Peace with which it has pleased God to bless his Kingdom by the Death of the Marshal d'Ancre who was the sole Incendiary and real Cause of the Troubles that have been raised of late Years and the Spring of those Divisions that have perplexed all the parts of the State and the Minds of the Grandees thereof making use of both to advance himself to increase his Credit and Authority under the King's Minority the Weakness of a Regency and a confused Government That having attained such a degree of Power and Insolence by means as unjust as base and after having received more Favours and Honours than ever he could deserve or at first durst hope for he had reduced the Power of his Sovereign to the necessity of serving his unruly Passions and made it the Instrument of his insatiable Avarice and unbounded Ambition insomuch that after he had caused most of the Princes and ancient Officers of the Crown to be removed from his Majesty's Person in order to mannage and dispose all things with greater Liberty and to imbezle and order the King's Revenue at his Pleasure under Pretence of doing him Service in respect to the principal Affairs of State he brought the Kingdom into Confusion that he might govern alone according to his own Fancy to the Disgrace and Prejudice of the Dignity and Authority Royal and took the Advantage at the Expence of his Majesty's innocent afflicted Subjects of the Calamities and Miseries of the War of which he was the principal Author and Contriver to secure the Fortune he had built upon such illegal Foundations which his Majesty after having born too long has been forced to destroy in order to restore Peace to his People and deliver the Kingdom from the Persecution of a Man that was so Ingrateful and Wicked the Consequence whereof has immediately convinced every one how pernicious and destructive his Life was to the State which has recovered its Vigor and former Peace by his Death The Princes and Lords who had taken up Arms presently returned to their Duty and assured the King of their entire
of his Majesty's Affectionate and Filial Observance for the Service and Honour of the Holy See by the Example of the Kings his Predecessors to the satisfaction of his Beatitude and the advantage of his house and designs He is also to make him sensible of the Confolation his Majesty receiv'd at his assumption to the Pontificate his Prayers having been granted on this subject Since it has pleas'd God to give a Person of his Piety and Virtue to Christendom who has the intentions and is indued with all the Qualifications requir'd in a common Father that it is his earnest desire he may injoy it long for the Publick Good which he will again confirm to him at the sending him the usual Devoirs and Obedience That his Majesty is persuaded that his Holiness puts a greater confidence in this Royal Freedom and in the real and solid Effects his Majesty daily discovers to the advantage of the Church and of Christendom in General than to impute his not having been able hitherto to perform that duty to the least want of Inclination or Devotion towards his Beatitude but to the Troubles and Divisions of his Kingdom which he has begun to disintangle so happily and so much to the advantage of the Catholick Religion and of his Authority that his Majesty is persuaded that he will prefer such salutory Effects to a Ceremonious Duty since his Majesty yields to none besides his Title of first Son of the Church in Duty or Devotion towards the Holy See and his Holiness as he will ever make it appear both at Home and Abroad and that he hopes that God will bless him so much again this Year either by Agreement or Force of Arms as to extend the Catholick Religion and the Honour of the Name of God in his Kingdom so far as to deserve the Continuation of the good Will and Paternal Counsels His Holiness has sent him upon that Subject which his Nuncio can assure him have been receiv'd by him with Sentiments suitable to his Zeal and to the Respect he bears to whatever proceeds from the wise Counsels of His Beatitude The said Commandore is to remain within these Bounds at his first private Audience only giving His Holiness Assurances of His Majesty's Devotion according to the usual Custom For as to other Affairs they are referr'd to that which is to be solemn and publick as well as others which will be given him from time to time according as Occurrences shall offer themselves He is to wait on Cardinal Ludovisio His Holiness's Nephew the same Night whom he is to acquaint with His Majesty's Good Will towards him the Confidence he reposes in and Knowledge he has of his Affection for the Welfare of his Affairs in which he shall be desir'd to persevere and to make his Uncle favourable in such Occasions as shall occurr during his Residence in Rome Which His Majesty will be ready to acknowledge to his Advantage and Satisfaction on all Occasions by profitable and honourable Effects The greatest and most important Affair in debate at this time is that above-mention'd about Valtelina which his Holiness is very well acquainted with together with the Endeavours hitherto us'd by his Majesty to stifle the Misfortunes he is sensible must arise from that Contention in their very birth He is again to lay the dangerous Consequences thereof before his Holiness in relation to the publick Good of Italy and even of the Roman Religion it self and that unless the Spaniards will speedily submit to his Counsels and paternal Exhortations to hasten the Restitution thereof the King will be oblig'd to espouse the Cause and Interest of his Allies that his Holiness is not only oblig'd as a common Father to prevent Troubles but as a Temporal Prince of Italy to obviate and oppose all manner of Usurpations His Majesty in this point only requires the Observation and Execution of the Articles of Madrid made with the approbation of his Holiness's Ministers the accomplishing of which the Spaniards under a specious pretence of Religion towards him and of deference towards several Princes and States concern'd have delay'd and put off insomuch that the Distemper is now grown to such a head by the artifice and desire of the Governor of Millan to preserve what he has Usurp'd against all Right and Reason to the prejudice of his Majesty's Alliance and of the safety of the Princes of Italy that his Majesty has freely declar'd and lately again acquainted his Holiness his Nuncio and the Spanish Ambassâ—dor that unless the aforesaid Agreement were effectually perform'd he could no longer resist the desires and general Interest of his Confederates who made earnest Sollicitations to him to assist and strengthen them with his generous Resolutions in their pressing need and that on their sides they would co-operate to the utmost of their Power and Interest That in compliance thereunto his Majesty has sent Orders in all parts to keep all things in readiness and that being resolv'd to repair to Lyons his Orders were also dispatch'd to the Marshal d' Esdigureres to be ready at the first Command That it is most certain that the Princes concern'd and several others who will not stir until they see the Game begun will freely enter the Lists for their preservation others for Interest and that then his Holiness though perhaps too late will find whether the Reasons alledg'd by Spain for Religion are as important and considerable as the Evils and Accidents which will arise to his grief even to the very detriment of the Catholick Religion For undoubtedly several Protestant Princes will make this Cause theirs being jealous with reason of the growing greatness of Spain and divers Nations and Religions will enter and fill Italy And all this is occasion'd by the immoderate Covetousness and Ambition of the Ministers of Spain the prejudice and blame whereof will fall upon the Authors and his Majesty will be sufficiently discharg'd towards God and Men by the Endeavours he has us'd to prevent these Misfortunes for considering the time when the Enterprize was first began and the Treaty concluded upon that Subject but not executed by Spain a longer patience would be imputed to want of Courage and Resentment Therefore his Majesty again intreats his Holiness seriously to renew the Efforts of his paternal Admonition to prevent such Calamities His Majesty is very sensible that the said Spaniards the better to colour and justify their Attempts and to make him the more favourable to their Design have all along laid the Case of Religion before his Eyes to blind him and consequently prevent his joining with the rest of the Allies or at least to make him connive at their Enterprize But whereas the Mask is now thrown off and that it is evident by other Occurrences in Christendom that they are induc'd thereunto more out of Ambition than Religion his Holiness must be intreated no longer to suffer himself to be impos'd on both for his own Honour and
for the good and peace of Italy as well as for the sake of the Catholick Religion the advantage of which he may assure himself his Majesty will ever be one of the first to promote with all his power But there is some danger as it has often been represented in being too obstinate for one of losing both together For it is most certain that the said Leagues of the Grisons are not oblig'd by the Articles of the Treaty to maintain the Catholick Religion alone in Valtelina and consequently the Spaniards cannot insist on this without a Breach of the Treaty and without wounding his Majesty's Royal Intermission But moreover to remove this borrow'd Veil and to go beyond them by a Zeal not apparent but truly sincere of Religion though this be not included in the said Agreement he will imploy his Credit and lively Remonstrances towards the said Grisons by his Ambassadors and use all other reasonable means to prevail with them for the preservation of the said Religion in Valtelina though not in the nature of a Condition as abovesaid it not being mention'd in the Treaty and they being oblig'd notwithstanding a refusal to accomplish the said Agreement and to perform the said full and intire Restitution That in case his Majesty can succeed in this design it will be a great comfort to his Holiness whose Nuncio in Switzerland must be order'd to facilitate with his Majesty's Ministers all honest and sure means to hasten the said Râ—stitution His Majesty presses this Affair being justly press'd by the thing it self and by the Persons concern'd therein which should invite his Holiness to double his vigilance and serious Instances in Spain otherwise he will find by real Effects that his Majesty's foresight has been good and his care in so many places very praise worthy But in order the better to convince his Holiness of the truth of the premisses here is a very certain and most visible Argument thereof The Spaniards who boast and seem very desirous of promoting the good and advancement of the Catholick Religion in Germany where they had promis'd to Invest the Duke of Bavaria with both the Palatinates are now out of Reasons of State more reserv'd in the matter out of fear of displeasing the King of Great Britain and lest the Duke of Bavaria should grow too powerful in Germany Causes altogether Temporal which hinder them from advancing the Glory and Holy Name of God in so fair an occasion while his Majesty shows himself more inclinable and favourable to it for though the Elector Palatin is Ally'd to him he knows in his Soul what he has done on that subject where it was necessary to show his good intention His Holiness's Officers and his Nuncio here have discover'd it themselves and that it was only a Blind u'sd by them to abuse the most simple but not capable of obscuring the prudence and clear sight of his Holiness who will be prais'd and bless'd by God and Men for endeavouring to prevent Usurpations and to maintain the publick Peace which are the only Ends his Majesty proposes But the said Commandore is chiefly to insist on the Mischiefs that may insue for the Publick these Crowns proceeding to a Breach which his Majesty will prevent to the utmost of his power by the advantages the Turk will easily gain by the division of the Christian Princes Whereas being united as it is his Holiness's Office to keep them and to which his Piety and other good Considerations should incline him above all things considering the present state of the Turks great progresses might be made against them But our Sins and Discords making us unworthy of that happiness we must implore the goodness of God and his Holiness by Prayers and Exhortations must use his utmost Endeavours to reconcile the hearts of Christian Princes to an Enterprize so holy so important and so seasible at this time according to the knowledge the King has of the now State of the Grand Seignor's Affairs and Provinces This business of Valtelina being adjusted before which nothing can be resolved on if his Holiness finds a good Disposition in other Princes His Majesty will ever be ready to second his good Intentions and to promote them to the utmost of his power It is His Majesty's Desire that the Honour of a Design so pious and so full of Glory should be reserv'd to the Happiness of this Pontificate and that in order thereunto His Holiness would be pleas'd to continue his best Endeavours for the Pacification of the Troubles of Italy as well as those that are kindling in Germany that the chief Princes of Christendom having no other Quarrels to decide may be the better able to unite their Wills and â—orces for this holy Enterprize His Majesty is very sensible that none are so busie on the Stage of the World as the Spaniards in order to extend their Empire more and more which will not only be the Occasion of neglecting the Opportunities of this Christian Project but also of uniting the Protestant Princes more strictly to oppose the Projects of the House of Austria And while this Game lasts the Turk will have many fair Occasions to improve it to their Cost and Shame and the Christâ—anâ— themselves will pay the Faults of their Ambition and Imprudence The Emperor having re-gain'd Bohemia which had been taken from him seems to have more Cause to let his Arms rest in order to provide against this common Enemy than to satisfie the Passion of another who leads him under his Authority to a Design which keeps him in Servitude himself and makes him share the publick Loss For here is Work cut out for a long time unless the Parties will put an end to it themselves since there is Reason to believe that the King of Great Britain with his Confederates will not let his Son-in-Law perish and that the States-General of the United Provinces will neither be so weak nor so destitute of Friends and of Assistance as to fall so soon by the Efforts of the Arms of Spain And in the mean time the great Occasions of doing good as to the general slip away Princes weaken each other by vexatious bloody Exercises thereby giving great Advantages to a potent Enemy who is only with-held by his Ignorance of our Condition or by the Hand of God who in his Mercy has not yet given us over to his Wrath. But we have reason to fear that the Continuance of this Misfortune will draw it upon us as being too unworthy of his Favours in not having made use of the fair Opportunities he had given us of making great Progresses against this Enemy in these last Ages The said Commandore is also to enquire of the Cardinals de Sourdis and Bentivoglio on what Terms the Marriage propos'd between Spain and England stands at present not to raise the least Obstacle against it His Majesty having had several Occasions so to do since he first was inform'd of it had he
the sight of all the World and especially in the promotions of Cardinals in which some things having been wanting in his Predecessor he hopes they will be repair'd and mended by the Prudence and Goodness of his Holiness as indeed it would be might the two Persons heretofore recommend viz. the Bishop of Lusson and the Archbishop of Lyons be included in the same promotion according to the request already made to his Holiness about it in his Majesty's Name by the Cardinal de Sourdis But the said Commandore is no otherwise to insist upon it for fear of Engaging the King's Dignity too far again in case of a refusal which is apparent enough and that he will grant but one to his Majesty in the next Promotion in which case he desires it may be the said Bishop of Lusson to gratify the Queen his Mothers desire who behaves her self so well towards him that he will be glad of any occasions to pleasure and oblige her His Holiness seems to be in Expectation of other Vacancies to favour Princes with if not he must but slightly intreat him to advance the said Promotion in respect to the affection his Majesty bears to the said Queen his Mother The Marquiss de Caeuvres had orders gently to sound the intention of the late Pope on this subject in favour of Monsieur de Mets his Natural Brother but as he took special care not to press it in his Majesty's Name for fear of exposing him to an absolute refusal the said Commandore is to follow the same Method in not making the like propositions for the Future without first giving notice thereof in order to receive his Majesty's further Commands about it Who wishes his Holiness a long Pontificat for the advantage and honour of the Church of God and the Publick Good But whereas his Beatitude is of a pretty weak Constitution and like others subject to the Common Law if any mischance should happen to his Person during the said Commandore's residence at Rome in case he could not have time to receive his Majesty's more precise Orders on this Subject he thinks fit to acquaint him that he has no other desire than to see that supreme Dignity supply'd by a Person knowing in all things the Office and Duty of a common Father without any Affection Interest or Partiality but for the common good of all and general Concord This is to serve as a rule for the said Commandore without prescribing any thing more particularly to him in this case which depends more from the Holy Ghost than from the will or affections of Men. Nevertheless as far as humanly may be done it is his Majesty's desire that it may be a subject born on the Territorys belonging to the Church so that all suspicions being remov'd all Christians Princes and States may make their applications there with more confidence and freedom upon all those occasions which occur so frequently in the World in which their Dignities and Qualifications rever'd by all men have always been of great Weight and have often supply'd the defects of the Parties to bring them to reason Which when it shall happen the said Commandore is to consult with the said Cardinals and other Persons well affected to the service of France and he is to use such care and diligence therein to the utmost of his Power as may shew that his Majesty considers no interest therein but that in which God and the publick is concern'd Nevertheless foreseeing all Accidents as much as in him lies and in those that serve the King he is to project his design at a distance and with secrecy for it would prove prejudicial being divulg'd And whereas tho' it is usual and expedient to mind the present yet it would be imprudent to neglect the other parts since His Majesty has no other End or Interest but the publick Good Therefore as the said Commandore by his Conduct and Behaviour towards the Pope and Cardinal Ludovisio is to give them all the Reason imaginable to commend His Majesty's Intentions and to make use of all Occasions that may occurr so he is likewise as much as Discretion and Interest will permit him to manage the Good Will of Cardinal Borghese and his Faction but with so much Address and Temper that the present Government may take no Umbrage thereat in such a manner nevertheless that both he and his said Faction may have reason to hope His Majesty's Protection and Favour in case of Need. His Majesty's Ambassadors and his Ministers elsewhere have always taken care of what relates to the Interests and Affairs of the Religion of Maltha who has had Recourse to His Majesty's Authority in time of need he having also receiv'd several good Offices and Services from the present Great Master in Matters concerning his Subjects Therefore His Majesty enjoins him to continue his said Assistance and Care for them if needful His Majesty being persuaded that the said Commandore by his Profession of the said Order as well as by his Command will effectually fulfil the same His Majesty is inform'd that a certain League has been propos'd at Rome between the Princes of Italy under pretence of preserving the Catholick Religion and of hindering the Coming in of Hereticks but in effect under this Colour to invade their Liberties it being very evident that the said Overture was only made to obstruct the Deliverance of Vatlelina and of the Grisons from the Oppressions impos'd upon them And therefore the Republick of Venice has rejected the said Propositions perceiving the Drift of those that have made it neither is it like to succeed The said Commandore is to keep an Eye over it that in case the like Occasion shou'd offer it self during his Embassy he may prevent the Effect of it as prejudicial to the Safety of the Princes of Italy and artificially varnish'd to â—ull them asleep insensibly and to surprise them The King is very sorry that the Pensions given to some Cardinals and Prelates at Rome have not been paid better of late which has been occasion'd by the Troubles of the Kingdom and the immence Charge His Hajesty has been at But particular Care will be taken for the future for the Payment thereof which the said Commandore may give them full Assurances of that they may have the better Encouragement and Reason to persevere in the Affection they express for His Majesty's Service in order to make use of it according as Occasions shall offer themselves Cardinal Bentivoglio as the Person in whom His Majesty confides most and who is well acquainted with the Affairs of Rome and the Affection of those that espouse the Interests of France will give the said Commandore a particular Account thereof that he may regulate himself accordingly and be able to distinguish the one from the other He is to express His Majesty's Satisfaction to him for his Services and that he knows he has been cross'd in them by powerful Adversaries to prejudice him but that
the Army will be at being in Action of which a particular Account is to be given to such Persons as His Majesty or the Grand Master of the Artillery of France shall depute in order thereunto in the said Army His said Majesty is also to allow Ammunition-Bread both to the Foot and Horse whether in the Field or in Garisons without deducting any thing for the same out of the said Musters If any of the Officers Soldiers or other particular Persons belonging to the said Army shall desire His Majesty to gratifie them with the Gift of some Lands and Houses seated in a conquer'd Country His Majesty does promise to make such Gratifications of the same to them that every one of them shall have Reason to be satisfy'd Moreover His said Majesty does promise to ratifie and confirm the Gifts of such Lands Lordships and Houses seated in the said Countries and Towns as may have been made by the late Duke of Weymar in favour of the Officers and Soldiers of the said Army and other particular Persons that were in his Service In Consideration of which the aforesaid Directors and other Colonels and Officers do promise in the Name of the whole Army to continue to serve His Majesty fâ—ithfully and constantly towards and against all what Oâ—der or Command they might receive to the contrary conformable to what His late Highness was oblig'd to do by his Treaty of the 27th of October 1635. and to march with the Army to all such Places and Enterprises as His Majesty shall desire either into France Germany Burgundy Lorrain or the Low-Countries for the Restoration of the publick Liherty and oppress'd States Orders shall be given to their Body by the said Directors or one of them according as they shall agree by the Day Weekly or otherwise Which Orders they shall first receive from His Highness of Longueville General of His Majesty's Armies as it was done by the late Duke of Weymar Lieutenant-General du Hallier and the Vice-Count of Turrinne and Count Guebriant Mareschals de Camp of His Majesty's Armies The said Directors are to be call'd into all the Councils and Resolutions to be taken for the Good and Promotion of the common Cause and Restoration of the Confederate Towns and States The conquer'd Places are forthwith to be deliver'd into His Majesty's Hands according to the late Duke of Weymar's last Will and Testament in order that His Majesty may place such Governors as he shall think fit in the Cities of Brisac and Friburg with Garisons consisting one half of French and the other half of Germans And as to the Governors of the other Places His Majesty is to chuse them out of the Body of the Army the said Governors and Garisons taking an Oath well and faithfully to serve the King to-towards and against all to preserve the Garisons for his Service and never to deliver them into any body's hands without His Majesty's Leave and express Order The present Articles have been sign'd by His Majesty's Deputies by virtue of the Power given unto them as also by the Directors of the Army in the Name of all the other Officers The said Deputies have promis'd to deliver the Ratifications of the said Treaty in two Months time reckoning from the Day of the Date hereof and the said Directors to take and oblige all the other Colonels Officers Soldiers and Troopers of the said Army to take an Oath well and faithfully to observe all that is above-written Done at Brisac this 9 th of October 1639. A Secret Article WE Count de Guebriant de Choisy and Baron d'Oysonville Deputed by His Majesty do acknowledge That notwithstanding by the Articles this Day sign'd between Us and the Directors of the Army Commanded by the late Duke of Weymar it is said that the Cities of Brisac and Friburg are to be deliver'd into His Majesty's Hands in order to his placing such Governors in the same as he shall think fit nevertheless the Truth is that we have agreed that the King shall give the the Government of the said Places to the same Persons who had the Command thereof during the Life of the late Duke of Wâ—ymar and have it still at this time the said Governors taking the Oath as it is set down in the said Articles And the more to express the Considence His Majesty reposes in the Affection and Fidelity of the Colonels and Officers of which the said Body is compos'd towards his Service we do promise That in case His Majesty shall think sit to change the Governors and Garisons of the conquer'd Places they shall both be re-implac'd at his Choice with Officers and Soldiers out of the said Army As also That His said Majesty will leave the free Exercise of the Protestant Religion in all the said Towns and Armies For all which the said Deputies do promise to procure His Majesty's Ratification in the space of two Months Done at Brisac Septemb. 29. O.S. Or Octob. 9. N.S. 1639. Sign'd de Guebriant de Choisy Baron d'Oysonville d'Erlach Hohem Nassaw Roze Flerschin Thomas Rluge F. M. Remehingen and others The Oath taken by the Officers and Soldiers of the said Army WE promise faithfully loyally and honourably to serve His most Christian Majesty towards and against his Enemies to march in all Places either in Germany France Lorrain or the Low-Countries according as we shall be commanded by His Highness of Longucville His said Majesty's General in Germany And that in case we should hear any thing against the King's Service we will give notice thereof to His said Highness and all for the Good and Promotion of the common Cause and to obtain a good and lasting Peace And whereas we do hope that His Majesty will satisfie us according to the Treaty of Brisac for our Services past and those we will do him We also expect in case of Non-performance to be discharg'd of our Promise A Treaty made between the Cardinal-Duke of Richelieu for the King and the Duke Charles of Lorrain THE real Repentance the Duke Charles of Lorrain has often caus'd Assurances to be given of to the King for the ill Proceedings he has us'd towards him these ten or twelve Years last past the Petition he is come to make in Person to him to remit and pardon whatever Despair might have urg'd him to say or do comrary to the Respect he is sensible he owes him and the Assurance he gives that for the future he will be inseparable from all the Interests of this Crown have touch'd His Majesty in so sensible a manner that he has freely given way to the Christian Sentiments and Movements of Grace God has been pleas'd to give him upon that Subject In Consideration of which as he beseeches the Divine Goodness to pardon his Offences so he heartily forgives those he may have receiv'd from the said Duke And after the said Duke has oblig'd himself as he does by the present Treaty for himself his Successors and such as may